'Brightest and best' Irish people have emigrated says politician

Almost 70,000 Irish workers left Irish shores during 2010Google Images

Joe Costello a parliamentary member of the Labour Party said “ We are exporting them again as we did in the 1950s, the 1970s and the 1980s, but this time it is more concentrated and legislation has been introduced to force them out."

“We are shunning the young people of our country in a crude fashion. We are telling them they are not wanted, that they are a burden on the State.”

“We are telling them to get out or starve. That is the message that is coming from this legislation.”

The legislation he spoke about was a new Social Welfare Bill.

He went on to criticize the fact that there is not enough being done to create jobs in the State. He commented on the fact that community employment schemes have been cut and lone parents could no longer get on these schemes. The number of people seeking such schemes continues to increase.

“There is nothing in this or any other legislation that works pragmatically towards job creation or stimulation, or the provision of opportunities or placements for education and training,” he said.

Sinn Fein’s Martin Ferris commented on the government’s, hard stance on discouraging people from social welfare fraud considering their own actions in other areas. Just recently three Fianna Fail TD’s expense accounts were questioned.

Almost 70,000 Irish workers left Irish shores during 2010Google Images